PBA REF SUSPENDED FOR FAILING TO CALL OFTANA FOUL ON CANSINO

THE PBA Commissioner's Office is set to suspend referee Jeff Tantay after he missed out on a crucial call in the waning seconds of Game 5 of the TNT-Meralco semis series.

Commissioner Willie Marcial admitted that Tantay failed to call a foul on Calvin Oftana, who appeared to hit the shooting hand of CJ Casino while the latter was going for a drive in the final nine seconds of the thrilling game.

The Bolts were trailing at that point, 97-96, and with the Cansino miss eventually lost the game. 99-96, allowing the Tropang 5G to clinch the first finals berth in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup on Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

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The non-call was among the officiating issues raised by Meralco after the game. Team governor Atty. Bill Pamintuan left the Big Dome fuming over that supposed Oftana foul.

Marcial said the Commissioner’s Office still has to decide whether Tantay will be suspended for a few games or for the rest of the conference, with the best-of-seven finals set to kick off next week.

At the same time, the PBA chief said the technical committee will review the game tape and see if other officiating infractions were committed.

Cansino was on fire for Meralco in the fourth quarter, where he scored 17 of his career-high 36 points to lead the Bolts back from a 10-point deficit and into the lead, 96-91, with 27 seconds left to play.

But a Rey Nambatac four-point shot and an undergoal stab by Jordan Heading off a steal over Cansino had the Tropang 5G regaining the lead at 97-96.

It was at that point when Meralco tried to isolate Cansino for a one-on-one play against Oftana, with the referees missing out on a supposed contact by the TNT forward as the Meralco guard drove to the basket.

Nambatac then secured the rebound, was fouled by Bong Quinto, and sank both free throws for the final count.

Cansino's forced three-pointer also against Oftana in the Bolts' final play came up short.

2026-01-14T16:15:09Z